Philippines reiterates stance on maritime dispute with China

The Philippines has rejected China’s criticism over Manila’s lawsuit
over the territorial disputes between the two countries in the East
Sea.

According to the AFP, Philippine foreign
ministry spokesman Charles Jose denied Manila was taking its complaint
to the UN Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague as a way to put
China under foreign pressure.

"Our position is that arbitration is the durable solution," the AFP quoted Jose as saying.

Earlier, China’s Xinhua news agency on December 7 quoted China’s
Ministry of Foreign Affairs as saying the underlying purpose of the
Philippines is not to seek peaceful settlement of the East Sea
issue but rather put political pressure on China via arbitration.

The Philippines filed the lawsuit to the UN tribunal
in March, asking for ruling over China's claim of most of the sea and
island areas in the East Sea.

China
refused to participate in the arbitration process. However, the UN
tribunal gave December 15 as the deadline for China to submit
arguments and evidence against the Philippines.-VNA